Units
You can work with imperial units (kips, inches, etc.), metric units (KN, meters, etc.), or any combination of the two. The current units appropriate for each data item are shown at the top of the data columns in the spreadsheets and with the plot of values in the model view.
You may save any of the units as the default setting so that when you start a new model that information is already set for you. To do this, simply enter the information that you want to save and check the Save as Default box and click OK.
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- Click the Units button in the Model section of the Home tab.
- Specify the units you want for each item in the drop-down lists.
Standard units systems are preset and may be specified by clicking the Standard Imperial and Standard Metric buttons.
- If you do not wish to convert values already entered, clear the check box for Convert existing data for any units changes?.
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Standard Imperial Units
This is the units system currently prevalent in the United States. 'Feet' are used for location entries, such as node coordinates and load locations, and 'Inches' are used for section property entries, such as area and moment of inertia. Force and weight units are in 'kips', where 1 kip = 1000 pounds. Stress units are in 'ksi' (kips per square inch).
Standard Metric Units
This units system uses 'Meters' for location entries and 'Millimeters' for section property entries. Force units are in 'kN' (kiloNewtons), where 1 KN = 1000 Newtons. Stress units are in 'MegaPascals' (MPa), where a MegaPascal is 1,000,000 Newtons per square meter and weight units are in 'Kilograms'.
Units Specifications
The following are the unit specifications and their applications:
| Measurement | Usage |
|---|---|
|
Lengths |
Coordinates, Load Locations |
|
Dimensions |
Shape Properties, Slab Thickness |
|
Material Stiffness |
E, G |
|
Weight Densities |
Material Density |
|
Forces |
Loads, Forces |
|
Linear Forces |
Distributed Loads |
|
Moments |
Loads, Forces |
|
Area Loads |
Area Loads |
|
Translational Springs |
Supports |
|
Rotational Springs |
X Rot, Y Rot, Z Rot Boundary Conditions |
|
Temperatures |
Thermal Coefficient, Temperatures |
|
Deflections |
Deflections, Displacements |
|
Stresses |
Fy, Allowable and Actual Stresses |